Moonshiner, entrepreneur, and now restaurateur, Steven “Tickle” Tickle has turned his financial struggles into a front-page comeback story this week in Franklin County.
After being forced to temporarily shut the doors on his restaurant, Tickle set out to raise enough funds to reopen. The plan? Sell a unique apple and carrot brandy he distilled himself. But things didn’t go as smoothly as hoped.
“I really needed to make that sale,” Tickle said, recounting an attempted deal gone wrong after his buyer failed to show up—twice. The final meet-up took a wild turn when he discovered the buyer’s bar was located right beside the police department. “Either the dumbest sale I’ve ever made, or the most genius,” he joked.
No Sale, No Problem
With that plan busted, Tickle and his crew pivoted quickly, teaming up with old friends Perry and Henry, who brought them to a wrestling event packed with potential buyers. The twist? Instead of wholesaling, Tickle was allowed to sell directly to customers—netting top dollar at $125 a gallon for his brandy.
“In just one day, we made the money we needed,” Tickle said. “I can finally open the doors again. That’s what family and friends are for.”
From Shine to Shine-On: The Tickle’s Table Grand Reopening
With funds secured, Tickle’s Table Restaurant officially reopened this week—complete with food, fans, and a monster-sized burger challenge that drew local crowds and social media buzz.
“I’ve got to do something to get people in here,” Tickle said. “This ain’t just a restaurant now—it’s a destination.”
Enter the Tickle’s Burger Challenge:
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2 burgers, each with 2.5 lbs of meat (5 lbs total)
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A giant basket of bacon cheese fries
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A loaded bowl of baked beans
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A 32 oz milkshake
Local man Mason became the first brave soul to take on the challenge. With hundreds watching via livestream, Mason gave it his all—but fell short.
“He didn’t finish it, but he brought in a crowd,” Tickle said, smiling. “That’s the kind of buzz we needed.”
What’s Next for Tickle?
Between moonshine moves and meat mountains, Tickle shows no signs of slowing down. The reopening of his restaurant is more than a win—it’s a full-blown redemption story in the heart of Franklin County.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I’ve got a fire under me now—and a full house to feed.”
